How to test headset microphones

Lisa RusczykUpdated April 17, 2017

If you want to test your headset microphone, you can use your computer. Apples and PCs have different ways to do this. PCs have a sample recorder, in which you can speak into your microphone and record sound. Macs have something similar, though you can open a program to see on the screen if your microphone is working. Once you have determined your microphone is working, you can use it to chat on the Internet or to record your audio.

Open the Microsoft Sound Recorder. To do this, go to the "Start" menu, go to "Programs," "Accessories," choose "Multimedia," then select "Sound Recorder."

Plug in your headset. If it is a USB headset, plug it into a USB port. If it is a headset with a jack, plug it into the audio-out jack on your computer, which has a headset icon next to it. Usually this is in the front or back of your desktop computer. If you are using a laptop, it will probably be on the side of the computer.

Press "Record," the button with the red circle, and speak into the microphone. You can play it back by hitting "Play." If you can hear yourself on the playback, your headset microphone is working.

Open the sound panel. You can do this by going to the "Apple" menu and choosing "System Preferences." Select the sound icon. The sound panel will open.

Plug in your headset. As with a PC, if you have a USB headset, plug it into a USB port. If you have a headset with a jack, plug it into the appropriate audio-out jack on the Mac.

Speak into the microphone. You will see VU meters on the bottom of the sound panel that show if your voice is being picked up. Make sure the headset you are using is selected in the input box of the sound panel.

Go to the "Apple" menu and choose "Simple Sound," then "File," then "New." This will open a sound recorder.

Plug in your headset. If it is a USB headset, plug it into a USB port. If the headset has a jack, plug it into the appropriate sound jack.

Press "Record" on the sound recorder and speak into the microphone. When you are finished, press "Stop" and play it back. If your microphone is working, you will hear the sound you recorded.

Tip

On both Macs and PCs, you can troubleshoot the sound from the control panel. Go to the "Sound" section of the control panel, make sure nothing is muted and that your headset is selected. Finally, make sure the volume is not turned down.